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Monastery Stables were an old place. It was a boarding stable for private owners, and home to a saddle club that let people ride without being an owner. Rosalyn was at home there now, a consistent and reliable stablehand. She'd also taken over teaching some of the beginner riding groups. All in all, when Annie wanted to learn, Ros knew when they could squeeze in some riding time.
Ros was dressed in a jeans, tall boots, and a thick cable knit sweater. Her long gold hair hung down beneath a helmet in a loose straight ponytail, and she set to work saddling the horses she was borrowing today.
Annie's also dressed casually, in a pair of jeans and a hoodie with low boots. "Hey, Ros. How have you been?"
"Good! I'm good." She put on a smile, though the situation with Buidhe was clearly gnawing at her. "I'm glad you came out to do this, riding's important and horses are nice monsters." She tightened up some of the last straps on the horse. "This here is Sir Runs a Lot, and that's Razzle Berry. She's a sweetheart. Steady. There's a helmet on the fencepost here, and you can come say hi once you put it on."
Annie peers at Ros, even as she's moving to take the helmet in question. "You know you do not need to put on a brave face for me, right?" And then she's putting the helmet on, doing up the strap to hold it in place before moving closer to the horses.
Ros eyed the helmet to make sure it was on properly, then brought Razzle around for introductions. "Let her get you scent, and don't approach a horse from the direct front or the back. The calmer you are, the calmer your mount will be. You're going to be a team and teams work best when one isn't a twitchy mass of nerves." Ros smiled slowly.
"Because their eyes are in the sides of the head, right?" Annie asks, offering a hand out for Razzle to sniff at, palm up.
"Yep! No one likes having people sneak up on their blind spots." She grinned, and Razzle lipped at Annie, nostrils flaring. "Some of our mounts have different blind spots and preferences, so it's always good to check with them."
"I will remember that if I ever get a mount that comes from our side of things," Annie grins back.
"Elio's likely to impale first and ask questions later when surprised." Ros chuckled. "Let's get you up! Right foot in right stirrup, otherwise you'll wind up staring at Razzle's butt."
"I do not think I am likely to ever run into Elio when you are not around, but good to know, I guess?" Annie says drily, putting her right foot in the correct stirrup and then - presumably with Ros's help, since she knows what she's doing - swinging her left leg over Razzle's back.
Ros adjusted the stirrups minutely, then patted Annie's leg. "Even if I'm there. Sit up straight. Shoulders and hips should be aligned. Sink your heels into the stirrups. If you don't sit properly you'll be hurting more, unstable, lopsided, and your mount will be grumpy carrying a lumpy off-center burden. And when the wolves come, you'll probably fall off and get eaten. It's like a motorcycle or even bicycle. Keep your balance and posture centered or eat pavement."
"You do realise neither of those were around in my time, yes?" Annie asks amusedly, even as she's doing as instructed.
"Then you should learn to ride them too," Ros laughed. "Did you ever ride before?"
"If I did I have forgotten it, so," Annie shrugs one shoulder.
Ros started Annie and Razzle walking around the paddock, staying on the ground and offering advice and support as needed. "That's how it goes, isn't it," she mused. "Things from before can be fuzzy. I'm not even sure of everything I've forgotten."
"Same, honestly," Annie admits with a nod. "And a lot of the things I do remember lack any connection."
"You're from a lot longer ago than I," she said softly, and mounted up herself. "Sometimes I'll walk down a street here and become disoriented when a building I expect isn't there anymore."
Annie shrugs again. "I do not have to deal with that, but then this is very far from where I grew up." Beat. "So, what next?"
"How do you feel about going for an actual ride outside the paddock? Razzle knows the paths and will follow Runs, and we'll keep it to a walk."
"Sounds good to me," Anne says, glancing at Ros with a grin.
Ros led the way from the stable and down one of the bridle trails of the park. She breathed deeply, clearly finding a sense of peace from the simple ride. "Horses are smart. Smarter than most people give them credit for. You should always listen to your mount, especially when they're a prey animal. They can sense danger. If a horse won't walk forward, don't force them. Elio, in spite of his horsish form, is a predator who'll happily run me into danger. Alas."
"At least he helps you get out of it again?"
"True! He runs in, them runs through the trouble... Chews on its carcass..." Ros rolled her eyes. "What kind of mount are you thinking about getting?"
"Maybe something that can fly? I have not really thought about it that much."
"Flying sounds lovely. I can't help you as much there though," she said with a laugh. "Though Agate will probably have things to say."
"Why not try and ride her, once she is big enough to carry a person?"
"I will, but she's still a juvenile. She's not ready to carry anyone. Or anything terribly heavy either. Perhaps in a few years she'll grow big enough."
"That makes sense," Annie admits. "If I find something big enough to carry two people I promise to take you up sometime, though."
"I'll hold you to it," she said with a grin. "If your mount acquiesces."
"I mean, I do not think they are especially likely to refuse, but that is probably a wise caveat nonetheless," Annie grins at Ros.
"It's always wise to respect your friends, whether they have two, four, or more feet." Ros said, though her smile faded a little. "Have you heard any word on the Buidhe situation?" she asked quietly.
"I am afraid not," Annie says equally quietly. "You?"
"We're going to go out hunting again. He's been moving, avoiding us tracking him down."
"Let me know if there is anything I can do to help?"
She nodded. "Well, we'll do what we can do. I do not like this hanging over us."
"Good luck," Annie says, tone serious.
"Thank you," she said seriously. "I've been training in the interim so hopefully I can help resolve it successfully."
"Yeah? What kind of training?"
"Contracts, hedgecraft, and so forth," she murmured.
"Reasonable enough," Annie nods. "I have been meaning to learn much the same myself."
"They're always useful sorts of skills for us, and it's a good season for it. If you ever need to go out into the hedge, please don't hesitate to ask."
"I will hold you to that," Annie grins at Ros.
Ros accepted the flicker of magic and chuckled. "Well fair is fair," she allowed, accepting the bond of the Wyrd. "I like going out there though. It's strangely comfortable."
Annie shrugs one shoulder. "I rarely go past the Hollows, honestly."
"Not a bad thing. I have a patrol shift for the trods, and we go hunting pretty regularly too."
"That makes sense. I imagine it is a cheaper way to keep your friends fed than purchasing sufficient meat on this side of things, too."
"Oh my goodness, yes. There is no way I could afford feed for both of those gluttons. Agate is still growing and Elio eats like a horse."
"How is Agate, anyway? Having fun flying around?"
"She's doing well. It takes griffons time to grow, apparently. She's much streadier on her wings than she was when I got her, and she's learning to hunt with us by trial and error, mostly."
"That is great," Annie smiles at Ros.
"Elio was helping supplement her hunting, but she is mostly feeding herself now. Which I'm grateful for, since occasionally having to buy costco quantities of meat was brutal on my budget."
"I can imagine," Annie winces slightly. "I am glad my companion eats much the same things I do, honestly."
"I'm happy enough that they can hunt and prefer it raw," Ros said dryly. "Cooking is not my forte."
"And if they wanted oats I'd have to buy it! Feeding horses isn't cheap let me tell you."
"I will take your word for it," Annie grins at Ros.
"And you seem to have settled into riding pretty comfortably now too," Ros complemented. "Posture is something to keep working on, but practice will help."
"Hey, now. I do know how to sit up straight, even if I am not straight."
It took Ros a few moments to work through that one, then she laughed. "Happily, such alignments are irrelevant to horses."
"You never know, there could be gay horses!"
"That's a possibility! But they're gay for other horses, not their riders," Ros said dryly. "And gelding is quite common with the species."
"I mean, I knew that," Annie rolls her eyes.
"I'm just saying!" Ros protested innocently, teasing. "If you swing that way, you're probably out of luck!"
Annie wrinkles her nose. "I am not attracted to horses, thank you very much."
Ros laughed. "who are you dating these days?"
"Yu Jin, who I think you have met, and Polly, who I know you have." She glances towards Ros, then. "You?"
"No one," she said with a shrug. "But I'm thinking about a motley, which is nice."
"Yeah? Who are you thinking of forming it with?"
"I don't want to give details before it's established," she said apologetically. "Those involved should be free to join our not without gossip following them."
"That is fair," Annie admits, shrugging one shoulder. "I hope it goes well for you, in any case."
"Thank you. I hope your relationships keep going well too. I haven't met Yu Jin, what are they like?"
"They are amazing," Annie gushes, metaphorical hearts in her eyes. "Very kind, and patient with me not knowing all the nuances of modern popular culture."
"And I have no doubt you've picked up the modern culture just fine, but it's so nice to have someone patient." She smiled faintly. "Good qualities..."
"Truer words were never spoken," Annie admits, glancing towards Ros. "Do you have your eye on anyone?"
She shook her head and smiled. "Naw, I'm happy not concerning myself with such for now. And the romantic advances I have had, have made me more inclined to shoot someone or let Elio eat them than accept them."
"That bad, huh?" Annie grimaces sympathetically. "Well, if the former ever changes, feel free to let me know."
"Did you want to play matchmaker?" Rosalyn asked with a touch of humor in her voice.
"Oh yes, I can just see myself as the unofficial Shackamaxon yenta," Annie deadpans. "But no, that is not what I meant."
"I don't know what that is," Ros admitted with a frown.
"Slang for a matchmaker, taken from the name of the one in Sholom Aleichem's works."
She laughed. "Well... You are a Spring! It's under your purview."
"True enough, I suppose," Annie chuckles in turn.
"Such are the stereotypes." She patted he horse's neck affectionately. "I'm a terrifying witch, you know."
"Oh, yes," Annie deadpans. "I am so very scared of you."
She smiled broadly. "As well you should. Every wicked Queen starts somewhere!"
"And what am I in this scenario?"
"I'm not sure. Wicked Queens are never terribly well established characters, just caricatures to send out against the princesses."
"Use your imagination, then, create a role."
"Perhaps the wise guide then," she said. "The good witch, the quest giver. Gandalf, Glinda, and so forth."
"That works, I suppose," Annie admits after a moment.
"It's not a bad job, if you can get it! Better than some. Less dangerous than most." She winked, and slowly, the bridle path turned and opened back up at the stables.
"I mean, the worst danger I have encountered working in a gay bar is cishet tourists, but I will take your word for it."
Ros thought for a moment. "Rude princes," she advised. "Prepare a few curses just in case."
"Probably good advice in general, that," Annie admits, as her steed idles towards the stables.
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