Bumpy Ride [Dimitri]

[Seven Xu]

Spring 50, 511 AV

"Good Gods." Seven exhaled under his breath as his bare feet made the seemingly impossible journey from the bath to his locker, swinging open the small door that was already ajar, recently cleaned laundry waiting inside for him. The service at Soothing Waters brought a smile to his flushed face. Exactly what he needed. A long, warm bath and clean clothes after a wet, cold, muddy day and a restless night.
Seven was unable to shake the thought of the squire he had spent the day with. He had been so nice to him. Without judgment. Without cause. That fact alone kept him up all hours of the night, and when he would doze off, he would dream of the man, his horse, and the bumpy ride they had taken. Once, he even had a dream about Albessard and the kingdom of clouds or which he ruled as the Cloud king with squire Dimitri and the beautiful, musical Ken from days before. Absurd, Albessard.
The warm water had done little to soothe Seven's aching muscles from the day before. It had been his first time on a horse in his life. When he traveled, it had been in the back of a cart. Come to think of it, the horse was comfier. Perhaps if he saw Dimitri again he would inquire about lessons on how to properly ride a horse.

Seven pulled the black trousers on one leg at a time, then fastened them at his waist. Reaching back into the locker, Seven produced a razor and began to slide it with precision across spots on his face where fingers felt rough stubble poking through. Seven was captious of hair management. It could be the fault of his upbringing, or simply the fact that his fair skin looked terrible with hair protruding out of it. Either way, he had gotten comfortable enough with a razor to do touch-ups without the need for a mirror. Such vanity, for a person that appeared so self-conscious on the surface.

Seven lifted the towel to his face to wipe and fluff dry his hair. When he pulled the towel away again a familiar face passed his line of sight and he quirked a brow. Could it be? What stretch of coincidence was this, twice in two days to meet by chance in two completely different parts of the Citadel. Seven hesitated momentarily, and then raised his hand in greeting, and to catch the eye of the squire.

"Dimitri," He called with a smile, approaching the other. "Good morning. Are you on your way out?"

-2sm, -8cm for bath, towel, soap, laundry

[Dimitri]

Dimitri was spending his two silver mizas well. He floated among the warm waters, letting his sore muscles from yesterday's excursion relax and replenish. There were quite a few Knights in the waters today. When they were many Knights here, customers grew more relaxed and chatty. Dimitri had had quite a few interesting conversations, involving swords, a myth about some race of flying seal like creatures, and some man's survival story of Falyndar. Dimitri dismissed the last two, they seemed way too unlikely. After his muscles were relaxed, he asked a worker to bring him some soap, and to take the five coppers from his pouch in his locker. The girl obliged bubbly and handed him some soap. She then slipped into the pool with him and began to wash him down. The feel of the soap and her hands running over all his muscles excited and relaxed him. It was nice to be taken care of such as this. Dimitri really needed to find a woman he could spend some free time with. To spend his meager amount of money on, to dote on, to protect.

The girl kissed him on the cheek when she had finished and Dimitri exited the pool and walked into the locker room. He found his boots neatly shined, his breeches and shirt and undergarments all fresh and clean. And for a mere four coppers was a good deal. He quickly dressed and dried his hair. He felt new, refreshed. He stretched out his loose joints and muscles wondering what he'd do today. He needed to work on his horse riding still, one of his weaker points of his skill set. He turned to leave when a voice called out to him. He looked over and saw the man that had made him a map yesterday. What was his unusual name? Seven? Eight? Dimitri flashed a genuine, brilliantly white smile. "Hey there, and yeah I was about to head to the stables. Yourself?"

[Seven Xu]

Whatever ache, physical or mental that Seven was feeling instantly dissolved under the strength of the squire's friendly smile. Perhaps he had made another friend. Seven's desire for companionship was as strong as Dimitri's for a woman to fawn over. Just somebody to speak to, hang out with, somebody that doesn't judge or care much for details.
Seven's expression brightened and he pulled on his loose white shirt as he approached the squire with an equally enthusiastic smile on his face. Those fangs were rather unnerving on such an otherwise fragile looking young man. Gathering the wet towel in his arms, Seven had noticed that his nails would need to be filed soon, that he hadn't bothered with them since he left Lhavit and they were starting to grow a bit long. Seven dreaded filing them, but he hated having them long even more.

"Oh?" Seven's voice dripped with curiosity and Dimitri could almost see the gears in the boy's head leap into action as they began to turn. Seven cleared his throat and attempted to sound a bit more masculine than usual. Unfortunately, he just sounded a bit awkward. "Do you mind if I accompany you? I uh," That blush bubbled up in him, rising on his cheeks and his ridiculous voice disappeared. "I -- I. I would love to learn to ride a horse, if you are willing to show me the basics."
Seven suddenly looked surprised at himself. That was bold. Maybe even out of line. His eyes floated to the ground, and then after a moment, back to Dimitri. There were many reasons Seven wanted to learn his way around on top of a horse, and he felt as if he needed to explain every one to the squire in one breathless yelp. I'm sorry for not being a man and having to ride with you! I have never owned a horse, and I had no idea they got sick in the rain! I'm sorry my legs aren't strong enough and my balance not keen enough that I had to hold on to you! But instead of embarrassing himself further, the albino simply forced a nervous laugh.
"That is, if you are free! I did not mean to impose, if you have training to do."

[Dimitri]

Dimitri stood there wondering why this man was acting nervous. His voice was different, his words breaking up. Dimitri figured he was embarrassed that he didn't know how to ride a horse. Sure it was an almost necessary thing to know in this world, but some people still didn't know. "Are you able? After that rough ride for your first time yesterday, your thighs are probably sore."

He'd never fully taught someone how to ride a horse. Really, he was just better than basic himself. Was he even qualified to teach? He shrugged, he could teach him the process and maybe if he did well, put him on a horse by himself. "Well if you're ready, we better get going," he smiled at the odd man, "After all, you've got a hard task ahead of you." Dimitri turned to step outside, feeling refreshed. He could probably practice himself while teaching. He laughed at the idea of being a student and a teacher at the same time. He stepped outside and turned toward Windmount Stables. It was pretty much right around the corner too. The weather was overcast, but didn't look like rain. At least it wouldn't be scorching hot today. After all, he'd just bathed.

[Seven Xu]

Seven's embarrassment melted away when Dimitri reacted politely, a manner in which should not have been a surprise to the half-blood. Always a gentleman.
"Oh, I'll be fine." Seven smiled in an assuring voice. His thighs, on the other hand, screamed in protest as he followed Dimitri out to the Windmount Stables. "Even if I were to learn nothing more than tacking a horse today it would be time well spent." Underneath it all, Seven was merely looking for companionship. You could never have too many friends, although the experience for Seven had been awkward and entirely new.
He ducked out of the way of another squire leading his horse from the stables to a modest paddock nearby. The large animals still made him nervous. Were they intellectual beings? Able to attack if threatened, or simple nervous pack animals?

Seven stepped into a stall after Dimitri, occupied by the same horse that he was perched on top of the day before when they had met. The beast's head lifted from her feed bucket and loomed over Seven. Heart racing, Seven took a step back as the horse nosed the familiar smell of the boy, ears perked forward and snout pressed to Seven's shoulder in interest. The horse's nostrils flared and she exhaled sharply before losing interest in the boy that was not Dimitri and had no food, shifting her weight as she turned away from the half-blood. "Friendly." Seven remarked, hand lifting to scratch the mare's neck lightly. "Does it have a name?"

[Dimitri]

Dimitri entered the stables with a slight spring in his step. He loved the stables and the horses. He was relaxed here, and loved all the experiences he'd had. He'd learned so much from the horses and with them. He walked over to the paintedmount mare he'd used the day before. He approached it slowly, "Hey girl, you feeling good today? We had quite the ride yesterday huh?" He rubbed her snout and neck and looked out at the barn door. He watched Seven nervously skirt around a squire leading a Tiaden to the fields. He shook his head smiling. "Be nice to him girl."

Dimitri moved off to the side of the horse and was rubbing her neck and shoulder. Seven didn't introduce himself to the horse properly. And he seemed very nervous in the process. "You're starting off on the wrong foot already. Step back out."

"You don't need to be nervous around horses. They are our companions and friends. They can tell when you are nervous or fearful and will respond to it. Approach the horse with open arms, talk softly to it. Let it get a feel for you. And her name is Tianna. Now watch."

Dimitri walked up to the horse slowly, gently. His arms were open, palms up. He whispered, "Hey girl, me and my friend will be taking care of you today." As he got close enough he gently stroked her snout and neck. "Will you take care of us?" he stepped off to the side and gestured for Seven.

[Seven Xu]

A very embarrassed looking Seven backed quickly out of the stable, head lowered and palms open in front of him. He had already done something wrong, and although Dimitri didn't appear to be annoyed with him personally, he did express some concern for the horse.
They can sense fear? The mare was massive compared to his tiny frame. She could easily rear up and trample either of them, really. Companions. Friends. Seven's scarlet gaze followed Dimitri's every movement. He approached the horse calmly and spoke to it as a peer, rather than a lesser being. The love for the animal reflected in the blond's voice, and the mare seemed to respond with piqued ears and those huge, dopey brown eyes fixated on the squire. It was impressive.

Now it was his turn. Seven inhaled slowly as he approached the painted mare, his nostrils filling with the smell of hay, leather and manure. All thoughts of the potential damage the beast could do to him were forced to the back of his mind and he spoke in a calm, collected tone. "Hello Tianna." Seven's hands extended, palms open and facing the sky. "I like, your, uh. Mane. And, thank you for not throwing me off of your back yesterday. I am sure you have been ridden by better. You were my first."

Obviously the horse would not get the joke. Seven shifted from his left to his right foot awkwardly.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri watched the man try and mimic himself. He was still nervous clearly but improved in his actions and demeanor. The horse snorted and rolled it's eyes. Dimitri chuckled and nodded his head in Seven's direction. The horse huffed and leaned it's head forward, rubbing it's snout into Seven's chest. "She can still tell you're nervous. But she's a nice horse and is giving you a chance."

Dimitri turned to Seven, remembering to keep a hand on the horse's body. "There are a few things to always keep in mind. Horses love attention and communication. They are incredibly smart and require the same things humans do. Now, always remain calm and the horse will be calm. When working with a horse, try to keep talking, and keep a hand on it. This will let it know where you are and keep it relaxed. Now for grooming."

Dimitri beckoned Seven over to the left side of the horse. "Always, always treat your horse before and after each time you ride. Always take care of your horse before yourself. Whether you're exhausted, injured, dying, whatever. Take care of it first."

Dimitri picked up a round brush. He placed it in Seven's hand, then placedhis own hand on top of the pale appendage. His body moved close in behind Seven's, as he moved the hand and brush to the rump of the horse. "You keep talking to her, and I'll run you through the basics. This brush is used to lift dirt beneath the hair to the surface. Make small circular motions like this." He gripped slightly, though not hard enough to hurt, and began brushing the horse, their hands moving it in a circle. Dirt and dust moved upward to the top of the hair, some flying off. "Do the shoulders, body, and neck. And keep her calm."

[Seven Xu]

Dimitri did have a point. Companionship aside, being without a horse if traveling near or far could be crippling to even the most experienced knight. Seven had remembered the merchant caravan he traveled with across the Kalea countryside. They frequently stopped for the needs of the horses over the needs of the people and goods the horses towed behind them. Forming a bond with such an important animal only made sense. "I am trying not to be nervous." Seven admitted, eyes locked on the mare's knowing gaze.

Whatever apprehension the half-blood had remaining in his body about being around the animal evaporated when his fingers gripped the wooden hilt of the round brush only to be topped with the rough, tanned hand of the squire whose muscular form stood close behind him as he spoke. Seven could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as Dimitri's warm breath broke over his pale skin and Seven had to force himself to listen to his voice, lest he drift off into dreamland. Seven began to murmur to what the squire could only hope was the horse. "You are beautiful." Circular motions. "I am honored to be so close to you." Get all of the dust and dirt. Please do not let go. Their hands moved together from the mare's hind quarters to her back. There was a surprising amount of dust hidden within the coarse, shiny coat. When Seven moved slowly towards the front of the horse, Dimitri moved with him, continuing to guide his hand determinedly.

"This is not so bad." Seven smiled, tilting his head to the side as the brush ran along the mare's shoulders, "You seem to enjoy the attention." Still talking to the horse, although no one could ever be entirely sure who Seven was speaking to. Sometimes, it seemed like he was talking to the clouds themselves. "I wish I had an apple to give you, but I ate my last one yesterday. It was delicious if that is any consolation." He joked.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri picked up a similar brush with longer bristles. He replaced the brush in the man's hand with this one. "This is to remove the lifted dirt and dust off. Sweep it like a broom." His hand covered Seven's as he whipped it back and forth lightly. He moved his body a bit closer since the reach would need slightly extended. "You know you're doing it right when little dust clouds whip up."

Dimitri wondered at the odd comments the man made earlier. For one so nervous around the horse he made very loving and caring comments. He shrugged it off and continued to help the odd man. When they finished he told Seven to go do the other side on his own. "Let's see how you do. I'm going to go fill up the feed and water trough."

Dimitri first went to the large feed sacks and picked one up. He lifted it with his knees and slung it over his shoulder. He walked back to the feed trough and poured some in. "Here you go Gal. Eat up. I'll go get you something to drink."He lugged the feed sack back to it's place and picked up some metal buckets. He walked down to the watering hole and filled them up. He lugged them back to the barn, grunting slightly as he tried to keep them from spilling. He poured them into the trough. "How's it going Seven?"