Closed Familiar Faces [Jasmine]

[Taurina]

Midmorning on the 30th of Fall 516

“Good girl, Melody,” Taurina praised her tender hearted mare with a soft smile and a stroke on the neck, “I’m gonna put this on you now. It’s just a little different.” The plan was to get Melody acquainted with the Drykas culture just like Taurina was trying to reacquaint herself with the culture. The Eth was using a soft voice to try and convince the mare it was alright, that the yvas was not going to hurt her and that it was only a little different than the saddle she had been using. It was hard to come off as convincing though when Taurina was not fully convinced on the matter herself. The yvas was strange and unknown to her besides how to fasten it on and get up onto Melody with it on. The guy who had sold it to her no more than a few bells ago told her that much, but nothing more.

Getting the blanket on was not the problem as it was much like the saddle blanket they were both used to using. It was the rest of the simple, but strange contraption that caused strife between rider and animal. Melody was not having it. Anytime Taurina went to even attempt putting it on, the mare shifted or moved out of the way with sounds of displeasure. Taurina was growing increasingly frustrated with the mare, but tried to keep her cool. She did not want to add more fuel to Melody’s fire.

“Come on now Melody, the other horses use it,” Taurina promised, letting the mare get used to the sight of the new object. She had previously tried getting Melody used to the idea of it, setting it before her and trying to get her to look at it or sniff at it possibly. The mare had been completely uninterested though, the grass apparently had looked much more appealing. That had been the first failure and it had all gone down hill from there. Melody sidestepped again when Taurina brought it near.

The Ethaefal was too afraid to anger her horse so she did not want to force it. Her knowledge of these things was limited and shaky at best. She had been taught the basics of caring for and riding her horse, but getting the mare used to new riding gear had never been gone over. Taurina was all on her own and she was failing. A deep frown threatened to become a permanent feature of her face as it had not left for a bell or so by this point.

“I’m asking nicely,” Taurina pointed out, trying to appeal to Melody’s better nature as if the mare had any. The funny thing was that Melody was usually the model horse. She was always peaceful and easy to care for and ride. This had struck a nerve though somehow. ’Perhaps I’m doing it wrong?’ Taurina chewed on her lower lip in thought before sighing and setting the yvas down on the grass. “Fine,” she muttered angrily, “we’ll take a break.” Taurina took the blanket off of Melody’s back -which was answered by the swish of the mare’s tail- and picked up the yvas once more. Both things were carried and placed in the Eth’s tent with a sigh of frustration. The same frustration caused her to run fingers angrily through her hair and grip it as she tried to think. The Ethaefal had no idea what she was doing and it was becoming very obvious to.

Dull brown, Drykas eyes spotted the journal sitting on top of her bedroll which caused another biting down on her lower lip. It would not solve her problem with Melody, but perhaps she could at least distract herself. The Ethaefal sighed before going over and picking up the book. After all, it had been a couple nights since she had sketched out anything so perhaps some practice would do her good. Maybe calm her down and give her some ideas as to what to do about Melody. Seemed like a good, possible solution. Her frown lightened and turned into almost a smile when she grabbed the book, her pack, and her dagger before leaving her tent.

Taurina wanted some inspiration, something other than the mundane things she often saw. Her sketching was not always good and she still lacked a lot of skill, but it was better than it had been before. She was always getting better and what helped was to look for new things to sketch out. The more complex and detailed she had to get, the more she learned about what to do and what not to do. So, the Eth set out. She was not sure where she was going, just that she would not actually leave Endrykas alone and that she was searching for something interesting.

Feet carried the girl aimlessly through the tents that she mostly did not recognize. Her gaze searched for something interesting, for something to sketch. Most of what she saw though were normal, mundane things. Tents, animals, people, people working or talking or both. Creases formed in her brow, but she tried not to be too discouraged. There had to be something around here to sketch. Taurina kept moving, searching for that one thing that would be able to serve as both an inspiration and a distraction.

Ledger-2 GM for yvas

Common | Pavi | ’Thoughts’

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine smiled getting up from her pallet on the floor after getting dressed and ready to face the day. Hoping to find something while foraging the girl opened the flaps of her tent stepping out and stretching. It would be a long day ahead of her, last time she had found something out in the grass had been when she was with Amunet that time. The woman had asked the girl if she would mind her cleaning the mare's hooves before they departed. She had seen very little of the red haired woman since the mines trip. Two others that had been there were Ixzo and Merevaika, the blond had seen much of the other two women. Seeing as how she lived with one and often hunted with the other it would be a surprise if they didn't meet up.

Her mind drifted back to the young drykas who had come with Jasmine to speak with Azmere about joining the pavilion. Absentmindedly working on what would be needed to bring any kind of harvest back the woman walked out to where the yvas was and began preparing it. Chaser snorted seeing her touch the thing already. Shaking her head Jasmine tuned back into what she was doing and turned to look at the stallion. The look in his eyes said everything. There was no way that the Drykas would get the equipment on him without having to fight him first. Thankfully though the girl knew just how to coax her strider into doing what she wanted him to. No matter how much he did not care for it. Walking over the blonde put her hand up so that he could sniff it and calm down some.

Patting his neck helped to seal the deal, he knew that the girl did not care to put it on him. But there was no much she could do without it. There was absolutely no way that the blue eyed woman could get him to cooperate without some kind of bribery. A sudden thought entered her head. The sugar carrots would coax the large headed stallion through the yvas whether he wanted to wear it or not. Hiding the smirk that threatened to reveal itself, she began to dig in one of the bags pulling out two. Large nostrils flared smelling the sugary treat, Chaser trotted up and reached for her hand. Jerking back the woman shook her head no and grabbed the yvas holding it out at arms length. Moving her right hand into position, she opened it so he could get them once he had the object on. Snorting he stomped his foot but still watched the waiting treats. Finally giving in the stallion dipped his head through and began to eat the carrots. Jasmine moved and used her arm to guide the yvas into place with a smile.

“See that wasn't so bad,” Jasmine explained and rewarded him with a third.

[Taurina]

There was not much different from the usual routine going on in Endrykas that Taurina could see as she walked through a couple of the different clans. Some were training, some were going about chores and jobs, others were socializing. Some Drykas had bright smiles on their faces and laughter booming from their voices, others held fiery passion in the form of anger that came out in various ways. Some grunted with effort exerted because of some task and children were sometimes seen. Older ones helped out while younger ones got underfoot. Sometimes they could be seeing crying and others were seen laughing, happy and innocent despite the attack that had happened not many days ago.

Taurina kept moving. There was life going on around her, but nothing she could draw. Sometimes she was tempted to just sit and watch, observe these people that she had been living amongst for some time now. Note the way they carried themselves, the way they interacted with each other and with their animals, see their passion and the fighting spirit that beat in the heart of most of them. The Ethaefal was endlessly fascinated by these people and she often wondered how much like them she had been. This form had been one of them, the scars and marks that remained on this form proved it. Had her spirit been like those around her now?

The Ethaefal did not stop and watch, but rather kept moving. She could see more that way and she would not add to her already strange habits. Her feet kept moving, her eyes watching and taking in all that they could. Her small form wove amongst the tents, dogging children and animals alike. Smiles and apologies were given when she got in the way before she simply kept on moving. It was not long though before something interesting caught her eye and she stopped moving.

There was a Drykas standing not very far from her, strider standing beside her. The Drykas had a yvas in her hands and that strider looked about as pleased as Melody had when Taurina brought out her yvas. The Eth did not know that even some of the striders did not even like the object that allowed their riders more ease when it came to staying on. Taurina had watched for a few moments before she realized that she had seen that strider before. Upon closer inspection, she realized that she had seen them both before. It felt like it had been a lifetime ago, but it had not. It had only been a handful of weeks.

The Drykas' name escaped Taurina, but the hair and face was familiar along with the strider. They had both greeted Taurina and the merchant party she had been traveling with when they finally reached Endrykas. The blonde Drykas had been a welcomed sight and had carried them through the last leg of their journey. She had seen to it that news of their arrival had been spread and suggested where they take their tired, worn horses. What a kind soul she had been then.

Some sort of treat was offered to the strider and he gave in, Taurina watched with interest. ’Perhaps Melody would enjoy some treats,’ the idea was one Taurina tucked away for safe keeping. She really wished for her mare to let her use the yvas on her. The method of riding seemed strange to her, but it was more lightweight and it was the Drykas way to ride. That had been her goal from the beginning anyhow, become one with these people again. A smile tugged at Taurina’s lips as she moved forward towards the blonde Drykas and the strider who had been bribed into giving in.

The Ethaefal walked calmly and slow, trying not startle either of them. ”Hello,” Taurina spoke as non startling as possible, giving a sign of greeting when the female’s attention was caught. Taurina tried to keep herself more friendly looking with a small smile as she nodded towards the woman’s strider. ”Nice work you did there, I did not think of that,” her thick common accent layered over her words as much as ever, making them more broken than they already were. ”I remember you from before, when I came here,” she reminded, mostly speaking to herself even though it did not sound like it. The Eth had a case of not quite knowing exactly what she wanted to say. She smiled, trying to cover it up, her thumb running nervously back and forth over the leather cover of her journal.

”What are you out doing today?” casual conversation was what she was going for, though it sounded like she could be prying. Taurina hastily signed curious to try and make it seem more friendly. She cringed internally at her own awkwardness. ”Something interesting? she lifted her book ever so slightly, ”I’m looking for something interesting to sketch.” There was question as Taurina waited, hoping she had not scared the blonde Drykas off.

Common | Pavi | ’Thoughts’

[Jasmine Stormblood]

A soft voice pierced the air causing the blonde to turn. Blue eyes landed on a very familiar face, though she could not presently put a name to her. Thinking back her mind tried to come up with who the woman could possibly be. Memories of the caravan slowly came back to her mind, of the bird that people had been upset with, and the young woman before her begging to be brought back to the city. Jasmine had sided with the girl when she had defended the bird being harmless. A smile graced her face while the blonde turned to face the beauty fully giving her undivided attention to her.

“Hello to you as well. Not many realize that a horses stomach can be their biggest aid. Yes, yes you were with the caravan that arrived early this season,” Jasmine stated slowly starting to remember the girl. Though it escaped her on if she had ever announced her name, “I am going out to forage and maybe hunt some today.”

The elders had been stressing to forage as much as possible before winter arrived. The current season was turning out to be rougher than normal. Though that was proving to be the trend as of late, every change of the seasons brought on more pain, anger, and confusion for the Drykas. Shaking her head the woman turned back to the girl that was standing before her. There was work to be done, and if she wished to come draw while the woman was out, then she was welcome to. Turning soft blue eyes back to her acquaintance, the blonde began speaking once more.

“If you wish to join me then I would be most honored to have you with me,” Jasmine said with a smile and bowed her head.

The woman did not know if the other would come and draw the entire time or even help provide for whatever pavilion was already housing her. Straightening her head once more the perpetual smile had not left the woman’s face as she spoke again.

“If you would like I am more than happy to help you with your horse’s yvas. Striders and other horses in general can be fairly tricky to coax into something,” Jasmine stated looking at Chaser.

The stallion snorted and turned his head away from the woman that gazed at him with knowing eyes. She had to fight the yvas fight for many years before the horse would even accept it with little fight. The few times she is able to get one on him with no fight is nothing short of a miracle.

[Taurina]

“That’s right,” Taurina said with a smile when the blonde remembered her from earlier in the season. It confirmed her suspicion that this really was the girl who had helped her and the merchants with the very last part of their journey. What a horrible journey that had been as well, Taurina was eternally thankful that it was over. That this Drykas had brought them to their final destination. Taurina had had time while within Endrykas to recover some as well as fill out a little more. While being in Endrykas had not been as easy as she had originally suspected it would be, nothing compared to that journey. Plus, she was growing more used to the continual work and movement of the tent city. It was good for her as well as a learning experience. One that she was still very much going through as there seemed to always be new stuff to learn.

The girl (whose name Taurina could not remember even though she tried hard to recall it) told the Ethaefal that a horse’s stomach could be a big aid in getting them to do as instructed. The blonde also told Taurina what she was up to today. Foraging with the possibility of hunting. That could be interesting enough to sketch. Maybe not the act itself, but the nature and the things that were found while foraging. Taurina was sure she could likely find something to sketch out there if she went with the girl. The Eth did not mind leaving Endrykas so much as long as someone, like the blonde Drykas, went with her.

News had spread throughout Endrykas not many days ago that winter was going to be hard and that the people needed to prepare for it. Taurina had not ignored the warning, but she had pushed it to the back of her mind. It caused worry and fear that now was starting to come back with the blonde telling her what she was up to today. The Eth had little skills in surviving and had not really become apart of a pavilion yet. She had no provisions and not yet any skills to aid in getting some. Fear swelled deep within her even though she tried hard to push it down. This woman did not need to see her fear.

“I would love to join you,” Taurina told the blonde Drykas with a genuine smile, “perhaps you could show me a few things about foraging?” A question and a request. Taurina was beginning to acknowledge that she could not do this alone and would need help. She would need to build something up to help her last through the winter and that only came with gathering the necessary skills. Perhaps it would have been best to join a pavilion and learn along with having others to help her along, but the Eth had not quite thought of that yet.

“Help with the yvas?” Taurina questioned quietly out loud in thought. The Ethaefal bit down on her lip a moment before her face broke out in a smile. “Yes, I would greatly appreciate that,” she admitted happily, “Melody, my mare, is no strider and she is not trained with the yvas. I’m struggling to get it on her, let alone make her use it.” Taurina pulled at one of her long braids, a sort of nervous habit she had sometimes while talking. “I’m not very good at riding and how to get her to compile to my wishes is beyond me. Any help would be appreciated.” There was a flash of nervousness in Taurina’s eyes before she got an idea and it disappeared as fast as it came.

“I could offer you something of course!” the words sort of tumbled out of her in even more distorted pavi than what was usual for her as an idea formed in her head. It would not do to just take knowledge without offering any in return. Taurina remembered her dear fisherman telling her something like that once. “I do not have much nor do I know much, but something…” Taurina bit her lip once more in thought, her eyes traveling down slowly to the ground.

The journal in her hand was caught by the corner of her vision and she realized she had likely learned enough that it could be offered up in a trade of knowledge. “A little in drawing perhaps? That of any interest to you?” Taurina asked, her gaze lifting back up to the blonde Drykas with a hopeful shine to them. She hoped that the woman would accept this trade because if she did not, Taurina worried over what else would suffice. Nothing came to mind, it was this or nothing. With the invaluable knowledge the blonde had to offer, Taurina worried that she did not have enough and waited anxiously for a response. Even though the blonde had offered without asking for trade, the Eth still worried for she did not wish to take advantage of such an offer. She wanted to give something back. Though, she did not know what she was gonna do should the blonde turn her down.

In her mind, the drawing lessons did not measure up, but it was all she had. So she waited -somewhat anxiously- for the Drykas woman’s decision, the choice being fully in the blonde’s control now.

Common | Pavi | ’Thoughts’

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine looked at the girls sketch book gently. She had never thought about drawing before. It would certainly help her remember certain areas of the plains. With a smile the blonde agreed and mounted up following the girl back to her home. Once there she got down and dug in her pack; finding some carrots that were not coated in sugar yet, the blonde got her hands wet and made sure to coat the orange vegetable. Wiping her hand the woman just barely coated the item in the sweet substance. Doing so to one more, she walked over to the horse of her soon to be companion. Its ear flicked up as big eyes watched the new comers movements. Making sure to stay in the animals line of sight, Jasmine put both carrots in one hand while holding the sugary hand out to the animal. Big nostrils flared smelling the girls hand before trying to bite her hand. The graze of the horses teeth let the girl know it was curious of the smell.

“That's right. Sweet huh?” Jasmine asked with a smile taking one in her hand.

Turning her hand over the woman opened her palm flat with the treat lightly swaying in the middle. Those nostrils flared again at the scent causing the animal to instantly raise her head and eat the treat. With a smirk the blonde watched as she greedily ate the carrot. Cleaning her hand on the legs of her pants the picked up the yvas and held it high to the mare. Snorting the animal took a step back clearly not liking it. Clicking her tongue against her teeth the horse turned her attention from the contraption. Sticking her arm through at first, Jasmine allowed the animal to smell it first. When she reached to take the treat, the woman slowly pulled her arm through. In response the mare slowly stepped forward her head going through the opening. Once far enough in the woman allowed the horse to have the treat. Pushing on down the yvas sat in place well. Grabbing the straps the little woman worked quickly and easily getting the straps fastened and tight.

“There we go. Now that wasn't so bad,” Jasmine stated as the mare reached around and pushed her head some. With a laugh the blonde patted the mare's side before waving the young girl over. She was not the first that the girl had shown the trick to, however it had been many seasons since she had seen the other woman that came to mind.

“Instead of making it a painful experience, use the treats to turn it into a fun and rewards experience,” Jasmine explained with a smile.

[Taurina]

Nerves melted and muscles relaxed when the blonde haired girl agreed to take drawing lessons in exchanged for helping with Melody. It was not much, Taurina was fully aware of that, but this was the one thing she was slowly beginning to really come to know well and it was the one thing she had any hope of being able to teach anyone else. All the other knowledge she had was fragmented and small compared to what this Drykas woman probably already knew.

The Eth was perfectly pleased that her offer had been agreed upon and gave a small smile that acted in revealing her relief. She did not feel useless this way or like she was making anyone give her anything without giving in return. Even though the trade she had to offer was likely too small, the sketching could come in handy for anyone. It could be useful for things like cataloging fruits or other finds or even just be a way to pass the time. The skills that Taurina would try to teach were useful to their own extent and the lesson would not be wasted. Taurina, satisfied with her own logic, watched as the Drykas woman mounted the strider before she turned and led the pair through the web of tents.

Taurina led them back a shorter way than the one she had travelled that had led to them as that one had been long and wandering. She knew where she wanted to go now and soon they were back at her sad little tent where Melody was happily ignoring the yvas on the grass not far from her and munching away on a different patch of grass. The Eth’s cheeks flushed slightly at the sight, her ears turning bright red. Normally she would not have left the yvas out like she had and things would be neater kept, but she had just been so frustrated. Melody’s refusal to have anything to do with the Drykas way of riding had driven Taurina off her own little ledge of sanity and now that someone was witnessing the aftermath, -regardless of how small it was- she was embarrassed by it. Relief was only found when she looked over to the blonde Drykas who either did not mind enough to point it out or simply had not noticed at all. The woman, whose name Taurina could still not remember, was doing something with some carrots and seemed completely preoccupied with her own task.

Calming a bit once again, Taurina hung back and let the blonde Drykas do what she had set out to do. It looked as though the woman knew what she was doing and Melody was going for the bait. Taurina watched as her mare sniffed the woman’s hand and pressed her warm muzzle against it to try and get whatever was on it off. The woman said something, but Taurina was not close enough to hear, and then a full treat was brought up. Melody was greedy in her taking of the treat, munching down the whole thing with ease. Taurina resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the mare, there was no restraint within her. Though it was unlikely any animal had very much restraint when it came to getting a treat.

After the first treat, the Eth watched as the blonde tried to get the colorsplash mare through the yvas. There was hesitation in Melody at first sight of the thing and Taurina tensed in preparation for the mare to jump or bolt or do something else unsavory. She did not though for it seemed the temptation of the treat was just to much for her. There was desire for that orange carrot covered in something and it was strong enough that the Drykas was about to get the yvas over Melody’s head and settled into place over her withers. The straps were attached and Taurina tried not to look too dumbfounded or resentful. This had been what she wanted after all.. Now that it had happened though, the Eth found it hard to take emotions away from it.

Taurina saw the hand motioning her over and the smile on the blonde’s face which caused her to resist covering her own face with her hands. Melody was her horse and she had failed to figure out how to get the thing on her, but with a stranger the mare had gone so easily. So willingly. All for a treat. It was hard not to be jealous. There was gratitude of course and thankfulness, but the little green monster left a sour drop in Taurina’s heart that had to be pushed away and buried down to where no one could see. She especially did not want this helpful, smiley, kind hearted Drykas to know about her own personal shame. It was not the woman’s fault, Taurina herself was just unknowing.

“You’re very good,” Taurina gave a compliment as she walked over, her hands echoing her words with her minimal knowledge of grassland sign. A smile pulled at her lips that touched her eyes with only the smallest of glimmers. The hidden jealousy stole away the rest of the light that should be in the Eth’s eyes. Taurina stroked Melody’s neck, noticing the tense muscles found there and the flickering ears her mare had, but the yvas was on and the mare was not fighting it. Taurina’s smile grew a little more when she looked from her mare to the Drykas. “You know much about horses?” that was obvious, but Taurina frequently did not know what to say when emotions were flying and words were not coming easily.

The Eth looked back to her mare, stroking Melody’s cream and blonde colored mane with gentle fingers. “I will have to try that next time,” Taurina mused, “now that I have seen it works even on her. What a nice trick.” She was more in her own head now, but a glance over to the blonde brought her back to reality. Something was bugging the Eth about this girl. Knowing her, but not really knowing her was distracting in a way.

“What is your name?” Taurina gave in and asked before slipping into the more comfortable common to further explain, “I remember you, just not that. I do not know why, but that day was such a blur in some ways. I believe it just got mixed in with the shuffle of things. Will you remind me of what it is?”

Common | Pavi | ’Thoughts’

[Jasmine Stormblood]

“Oh well thank you,” Jasmine stated with a slight blush dusting across her face.

The blonde was not used to receiving praise for what she done. More times than not if it was just a simple help and run. She was not used to staying around for long always having something else more pressing on her mind. A soft smile graced the bubbly blondes face hearing the woman speak about her working with the horses. With a nod, Jasmine was proud to say that she had grown up working with the creatures. She did not know everything about the animals, and had found out the carrot trick on accident one day.

“Yes, I do. Or at least I suppose I do, my family clan was originally part of the Amethysts, everyone in the amethyst clan work with horses. I learned much under my grandfather Thrash Moonstone. I actually figured out the carrot treat on accident one day,” Jasmine said with a laugh at the memory. Relief flooded through the blonde when the other girl admitted to not knowing her name. Now she did not feel nearly as rude or awkward.

Snorting some the woman began laughing for several ticks before calming down, “sorry about that. It is just a relief to know I'm not the only one bad with names. My name is Jasmine Stormblood. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again. May I ask your name?”

The young blonde listened to the girl respond with the seemingly permanent smile on her face. Once both knew each others name Jasmine mounted up and waited on her days companion to see if she still wished to ride out into the Sea of Grass with her. Turning Chaser towards the open fields, Jasmine allowed the stallion to set a slow steady pace so that the other two could keep up.

[Taurina]

Taurina tossed the blonde a smile and signed her a you’re welcome before once more turning her attention to Melody. As time drug on the mare seemed to be shaking some of her nerves off and become more calm. Her ears still flickered with uncertainty, but there was just something about the creature that seemed more calm and accepting. Taurina was not sure what that thing was or the cause of it, but she was glad nonetheless that Melody had likely found some peace with the situation. She was not going to get out of it so it was good for her to just accept it and hopefully one day she would even like it.

While Taurina did not originally look at the blonde while she was talking, the Eth was still listening and understanding as best as she could. Her gaze not being on the girl was not done out of rudeness, but simply because Taurina was preoccupied with running fingers through Melody’s mane and trying to get the creature as calm as she could before it was time to ride her. It was not until the other Drykas brought up the Amethyst clan that Taurina’s gaze flickered over. She knew some in that clan because of her work with the Lilacwinds. It was the one clan she really had any familiarity with at this point, but she still did not know much about them. Them working with horses was new information to her and she was curious to learn of it. Even more curious to learn that this woman had once been apart of them, but was not anymore. Why? Taurina found herself curious to know.

“That was a very lucky accident,” Taurina commented, struggling some with the pavi words more now after having slipped into common, “I am sure it has saved you a great deal of trouble with some horses and helped in making things easier.” The Eth shrugged with a slight smile, but she did not add her own laughter to the bubbly girl’s happy song.

After the question on names was asked and the blonde burst into a fit of laughter that even included a small snort at the beginning, Taurina felt her own blush rise up and cover her cheeks. Her ears had a nasty habit of turning red as well when she blushed so at this point they were a bright scarlet. She wished to conceal her face and hide away. Maybe run away. That much laughter could not be a good thing, even if it did only last a handful of ticks. Perhaps the woman thought her a fool for not remembering. Perhaps she would leave now, throw out their deal and leave because the Eth simply could not remember for the life of her what the blonde woman’s name was.

It was not until the blonde explained herself that Taurina was able to relax and let out her own, very small in comparison, laugh. Her shoulders sank down after being so tense and the blush too slowly faded from her cheeks and ears. “I am horrible with names,” Taurina admitted rather sheepishly with a slight tilted smile on her lips, “the pleasure is all mine, hopefully I will not forget again.” Taurina did wish that. Forgetting this woman’s name a second time would be worse than embarrassing and though the Eth could not think of the word for what it would be like, she knew the feeling and it was not one she wished to experience. “I’m Taurina,” she reminded Jasmine of her name and since she did not have a second name to add to it she left it at that.

It was not long after their names were exchanged that Jasmine mounted her strider stallion and Taurina took that as a cue to do the same. “One moment,” she requested before ducking into her small tent that was not far away. Taurina did not spend much time in the tent for it was not big and her things were easily found since it was only her who lived there. Hardly anyone else had ever entered. The Eth came out not long after, the large saddlebags she purchased for the yvas earlier that morning in her hands. She had put a few supplies in there, but mainly she was bringing them for two reasons. One was to get Melody used to them and two, if they found anything of use and wished to bring it back she wanted to have somewhere to put it.

Taurina took her time to figure out how to attach each one on the yvas. She was careful because of Melody’s recently developed skittish-like behavior and her desire not to spook the mare. Soon everything was fastened on and Taurina was able to mount her horse. The mounting was clumsy and unknowing, nothing like Jasmine’s had been like earlier. Melody was unhappy and shifted beneath her rider which made it all the more difficult. It took Taurina several chimes to get herself situated on the mare and settled in the yvas. Nerves balled in her stomach and ate away at her heart, but she was on and Melody had not forced her off yet. It was a good start.

Shaky hands grabbed onto the places to hold, one on the yvas grip and the other on Melody’s mane. It likely would have been a good idea to keep using a bridle in the beginning, but Taurina had not thought of that. Deep within she had hoped Melody would just act like the other horses did without one. That likely had been a foolish thought. Settled and ready, Taurina motioned to Jasmine that she was good and that they could get going. Her hands dove back to their places after giving Jasmine something close to the right signs. The Drykas seemed to get the message for her stallion was now moving and with some prodding from Taurina, Melody was moving right along with him at the slow pace Jasmine had set and that Taurina was thankful for.

Now there was a new challenge to face, the Sea of Grass. Once more the Ethaefal was going out there, but at least this time she was not alone. At least this time she had a Drykas with her and hopefully that meant things would go more easily for them than it had during the summer with unknowing merchants. Hopefully Jasmine Stormblood knew what she was doing and both would return home safe and sound. One was allowed to hope.

LedgerLarge Saddlebags, yvas -8GM

Common | Pavi | ’Thoughts’

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Chaser snorted while the group traveled at the slow pace. Jasmine turned to look at the woman as they rode gently. She wanted to make sure that the other horse and rider were able to keep up with the stallion. The horse was not known to keep a slow and steady pace, but to suddenly bolt away from any other riders. The blonde was amazed at how hard it had been to break him of such actions, and still not have him completely broken yet. Stretching out the woman looked over to see if her companion was able to keep up knowing the slow pace would make it a difficult ride for the day. A slow pace in the heat was rough on both the horses and the riders. Raising up an arm the blonde wiped away the sweat away that had slowly began to accumulate on her forehead.

It was not as hot as the summer had been, but there was still plenty of heat in the air. If the weather did not cool soon the woman would worry that something was terribly wrong. Of course it was still early on in the season and much could change over that period of time. Chaser snorted and tossed his head back and forth before trotting ahead faster ready to run. The sudden jolt brought the woman out of her thoughts; pushing back on the stallion's rump some with her arm to get the point across he slowed back down with a slump of his head. Jasmine knew the group had to find somewhere to cool the horses off for a bit before continuing, even a large grouping of rocks that would cast a shadow would do.

“Stop for just a moment,” Jasmine called and signed watch for danger.

Taking a deep breath the woman closed her eyes and focused on the feeling of Syna's light above them beating down to the ground. It took nearly ten chimes before the mark round the woman's eye began to shimmer allowing her to see around them. Off to their left seemed to be a large cropping of boulders that cast a perfect shadow for the horses to cool off under. Slowly pulling away from her goddess the woman felt the mark darken before opening her eyes.

“We need to let the horses rest. There is a large cropping of boulders about half a mile from here to the left,” Jasmine stated looking over to the woman.

Turning the stallion in the direction, they took point once more. It took the group nearly an entire bell to reach the location at the slow pace. Finally under some shade the woman dismounted and grabbed a rag. Watering it down some she wiped down Chaser to help cool the stallion off from their ride. Sitting back against the cool dark part of the rock, she looked over to Taurina while the stallion grazed.

“Let Melody rest for a bit. We need to make sure they don't get too hot; the weather is strangely still very warm,” Jasmine explained.